Acupuncture is an ancient health treatment that is performed by inserting very small needles into pressure points on the body, and though you might feel a small pinch, it is not a painful procedure. It is based on the idea that a life energy, or qi, flows along 14 paths, or meridians, inside the human body. Acupuncture points are areas of the body that lie along these meridians, and there are about 2,000 of them.
Origins
Acupuncture treatment is more than 5,000 years old, and contrary to popular belief it was not exclusively a Chinese practice. Different methods of acupuncture have been used throughout history by people from around the world, including Eskimos, Arabs and South African Bantu tribesmen.
The ancient Chinese medical text "Huangdi Neijing Su Wen" was written around 200 B.C and included information about acupuncture, which is now practiced worldwide, with more than 8,000 practitioners in the U.S. alone.
Traditional Philosophy
Acupuncture operates on the theory that our life energy, or qi, must flow uninterrupted through our body. Qi, blood and body fluids are the three substances that make up the body and regulate our functions. The health and circulation of blood and body fluids depend upon the proper flow of qi.
When the natural flow of qi is blocked or interrupted it can result in certain ailments. Acupuncture gets rid of these obstacles and allows qi to flow properly again, thereby curing the ailment.
Western Theory
The modern Western explanation is that acupuncture works because the insertion of needles into particular points stimulates our central nervous system to release biochemicals such as hormones and neurotransmitters. These biochemicals then help ease pain, regulate our body functions, and strengthen our immune system.
Acupuncture and Hair Growth
Acupuncture has long been used to treat a variety of hair ailments, such as hair loss and brittle hair. According to Chinese medicine, the health of your hair is dependent upon the quality and circulation of your blood. It is believed that acupuncture can correct toxicity in the blood and stimulate circulation in the scalp, which will help repair damaged cells, encourage new cell growth, and strengthen your hair follicles, resulting in hair growth.
Efficacy
Acupuncture has been shown to increase circulation to the scalp, but it has not been proven that improved circulation in the scalp leads to hair growth. There is much anecdotal evidence, as well as a few small studies, that conclude that acupuncture can help stimulate hair growth.
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